Cathode for molten carbonate fuel cell and manufacturing method of the same

Abstract

Provided is a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells, including a porous nickel-based electrode containing nickel particles, and metal particles coated on the electrode, wherein at least a part of the metal particles are attached to the surface of the nickel particles. A method for preparing the same is also provided. The cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells accelerates the cathodic oxygen reduction and reduces polarization resistance occurring at the cathode, thereby providing a fuel cell with improved performance even at low temperature. Additionally, it is possible to improve the service life of a molten carbonate fuel cell due to such low operation temperature.

1 . A cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells, comprising a porous nickel-based electrode containing nickel particles, and metal particles coated on the electrode, wherein at least a part of the metal particles are attached to the surface of the nickel particles. 
     
     
         2 . The cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal particles include at least one selected from the group consisting of silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), titanium (Ti) and cobalt (Co). 
     
     
         3 . The cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal particles are present in an amount of 0.05-30 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the porous nickel-based electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal particles have a diameter of 0.001 nm-2 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 1 , which has a porosity of 50-85%. 
     
     
         6 . The cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 1 , wherein the pores in the cathode have a size of 4-15 μm. 
     
     
         7 . A method for manufacturing a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells, comprising:
 dispersing metal particles into a solvent to provide a coating solution; and   applying the coating solution of metal particles onto a porous nickel-based electrode.   
     
     
         8 . The method for manufacturing a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 7 , which further comprises drying the porous nickel-based electrode having the metal particles applied thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The method for manufacturing a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 7 , wherein the coating solution has a viscosity of 0.3-100 cp. 
     
     
         10 . The method for manufacturing a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 7 , wherein said applying the coating solution of metal particles is carried out by any one process selected from the group consisting of spray coating, dip coating, spin coating and vacuum suction processes. 
     
     
         11 . The method for manufacturing a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 7 , wherein the metal particles include at least one selected from the group consisting of silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), titanium (Ti) and cobalt (Co). 
     
     
         12 . The method for manufacturing a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 7 , wherein the metal particles are present in an amount of 0.05-30 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the porous nickel-based electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The method for manufacturing a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 7 , wherein the metal particles have a diameter of 0.001 nm-2 μm. 
     
     
         14 . The method for manufacturing a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 7 , wherein the cathode has a porosity of 50-85%. 
     
     
         15 . The method for manufacturing a cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells according to  claim 7 , wherein the pores in the cathode have a size of 4-15 μm.